BJP MP in novel odd-even protest

In a bid to ridicule the “odd-even” car rationing formula, BJP Tezpur MP Ram Prasad Sarmah tried to ride to Parliament on a white horse with a placard saying it was a “pollution-free vehicle”, but the police forced him to dismount near Rail Bhavan and escorted him on foot to Parliament House. Traffic briefly halted as people stopped to watch the spectacle.

The MP said he chose to ride a horse as he had an even-numbered car that was not allowed to play on the “odd” date. “It is my way of protesting. People are facing a lot of harassment as taxi and auto drivers are overcharging,” he said. Mr Sarmah alleged the scheme has led to “harassment” of people as taxi and auto-rickshaw drivers were overcharging.

“A large number of people from different states visit Delhi for various reasons. They cannot enter the city if their vehicles violate the odd-even rule. Does the government expect them to bring two cars while coming to Delhi,” he added.

Supporting the odd-even scheme, BJP MP Manoj Tiwari came to Parliament on a bicycle and said everybody should opt for it as it was an environment-friendly and healthy way of commuting. The North East Delhi MP also asked the Delhi government to strengthen the public transportation system in the city, saying the odd-even scheme should not cause hardship to the people.

“I have an even-numbered car. That is why I have come in bicycle,” Mr Tiwari said outside Parliament.

“There is no difficulty in riding a bicycle. I am all for the bicycle as a mode of transport here. Cycling should be promoted as it is a healthy thing,” he said.

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal also came under attack in Lok Sabha on the car-rationing scheme, with a BJP member accusing him of spreading “anarchy” in the national capital by deliberately delaying decisions on key issues. Raising the issue during Zero Hour, BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri accused Mr Kejriwal of doing “drama” for the sake of politics.

Alleging that the chief minister has been delaying the fourth phase of the Delhi Metro, which should have started in January, Mr Bidhuri said that the CM was delaying decision on certain key files that would facilitate smooth traffic in South Delhi and adjoining areas. Suggesting that the CM was deliberately delaying decisions on certain issue, he wanted the Centre to act unilaterally in the interest of people of Delhi.

The odd-even rule, whose violation attract a penalty of Rs 2,000 under provisions of Motor Vehicles Act, are applicable between 8 am and 8 pm except on Sundays.